Holy Week: Hope that counts

Catch up on the daily reflections sent to our Holy Week mailing list.

What would you give to sit at the feet of Jesus?

In Matthew 26:6–13, we read of the brief, yet profound encounter that an unnamed women shared with Jesus. In John’s account, we read that this was Mary of Bethany (John 12:1–8). She approached him with an expensive jar of perfume, broke it open above his head in an act of lavish devotion and service. She gave her offering without counting the cost, the natural overflow of a heart made whole in the God she loves.

The disciples could not believe what they were seeing. They were filled with a sense of injustice: the alabaster jar and the perfume it contained could have been sold and the profits used to feed the poor! But Jesus rebuked them, insisting that what she had done for him was beautiful and promising her a legacy of faithfulness.

Matthew 26:14–15 reads: ‘Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him 30 silver coins.’

Much like the disciples’ indignance at Mary’s offering, we read of Judas’s betrayal in disbelief and confusion. How could he do such a thing – and for such little gain?

Yet when we look closely, the line between Judas and us becomes uncomfortably thin. We might not hand Jesus over to his enemies, but we might hand him our divided affections, prizing comfort over obedience and security over surrender. It is in these small orientations of the heart that we lose sight of the hope that is made whole in Jesus.

Hope for our whole lives

Indeed, Mary had done a beautiful thing for Jesus. In the days that followed, after Jesus was arrested, he was robbed of all he had. But perhaps the scent of her offering remained on his skin – a reminder of her love and devotion in the darkest hour.

So, where do you see yourself in this story? Are there places where you hold back like Judas – placing hope in things that cannot make you whole? Or is Jesus inviting you, like Mary, to open what you have kept sealed and lay it before him? Today, what would it mean for you to pour out something precious in love for Jesus?

Let us pray

Jesus, draw me into a love that moves and gives freely to you and to others. Heal what is divided in me and fix my eyes on the hope that only you possess. Lead me to offer my whole life in lavish devotion to you.